Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) passes during the first half as the Vikings play the Bills in a preseason game at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minn., on Friday, August 17, 2012.
(Pioneer Press: Ben Garvin)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) calls a play during the second half as the Vikings play the Bills in a preseason game at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minn., on Friday, August 17, 2012. Vikings won 36-14.
(Pioneer Press: Ben Garvin)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) on the slidelines during the second half as the Vikings play the Bills in a preseason game at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minn., on Friday, August 17, 2012. Vikings won 36-14.
(Pioneer Press: Ben Garvin)

It’s one of the most watered-down words in sports culture but also one that indicates the highest respect paid to an NFL quarterback.

Swagger.

Christian Ponder has it, apparently. Not that he saunters in the huddle with a brazen demeanor. His swagger is more subtle than that, right tackle Phil Loadholt said.

“Just having the confidence and the comfort level in the huddle to know where everyone needs to be,” Loadholt said. “He fully understands what we need to do. He has that swagger the offense needs.”

Indeed, Ponder’s journey as a full-time starter will be all about filling needs — and the Vikings have many — entering the Sunday, Sept. 9, opener against Jacksonville in the Metrodome.

The need for a downfield passing game.

The need for a poised quarterback who punishes defensive mistakes.

The need for a calming presence when first downs are scarce.

Swagger alone won’t be enough.

Whether Ponder provides it all can either help shape the new-look Vikings with proficient quarterback play or perpetuate the team’s recent NFC North ineptitude.

Unequivocally, it’s Ponder’s show now.

By most accounts, Ponder’s preseason showcased growth. Save a shaky performance against San Diego two weeks ago, his preseason results were positive. He grew “leaps and bounds” in knowing when to take risks and when to play conservatively, quarterbacks coach Craig Johnson said. He took advantage of a full offseason with clear-cut improvement, coach Leslie Frazier said.

Still, Ponder knows all that won’t matter without two crucial ingredients.

“Being a quarterback really boils down to two things, decision-making and accuracy,” Ponder said. “Do you know where you’re supposed to go with the ball, and are you accurate with it? I’d love to, 15 years down the road, look back and say, ‘He was an accurate quarterback that made the right decisions. And his team was a success because of it.’ ”

Ponder’s potential is still difficult to forecast because, in part, he needs room to grow. How much can you glean from a quarterback who spent more than two months as a rookie getting limited practice reps behind Donovan McNabb before being rushed into a 10-start campaign with limited receivers and protection?

His confidence broke down after suffering a hip pointer before the Week 14 game at Detroit. His passing production for the final four weeks: 37 of 75 (49.3 percent), 331 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions. He left three of those games early because of the hip injury and a concussion.

Take away that stretch, Ponder had a solid rookie season.

Frazier is in a tough spot because he wants to allow Ponder room to grow, but the Vikings can’t afford a replay of last season.

Most notably, Frazier is looking for a quarterback who responds to the “tough moments,” which he saw throughout camp — often following a poor practice performance with a solid day the next.

How Ponder navigates the difficult games and learns from mistakes is crucial, Frazier said.

“Maybe he can develop into that kind of quarterback where people go, ‘Oh man, it’s going to be a long day. That Ponder, he’s on fire,’ ” Frazier said. “That’s going to come in time.”

Questions persist about whether Ponder has enough talent around him to flourish. At least until Jerome Simpson returns in Week 4, defenses can double-team Percy Harvin and force an erratic supporting cast to beat them downfield.

It helps that tight end Kyle Rudolph seems poised for a big season. Tight end John Carlson might need a few weeks to return to form after spraining his medial collateral ligament in August, but he’ll help, too.

The line should give Ponder more time, but he’s got to get rid of the ball in three seconds or less on most downs. That was a problem when he struggled two weeks ago against San Diego.

Between Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhart, the running game should be in good hands. But in an evolving passing league, Ponder will shoulder the offensive burden much more than either tailback.

Johnson believes his quarterback is ready for the challenge. One of Ponder’s biggest adjustments has been pocket presence, Johnson said, but his football acumen and savvy should help him improve that.

Also, Ponder has improved his ability to find his second and third reads quickly and look off defenders, Johnson said.

“He understands the game and concepts so well,” Johnson said. “He knows when to get the ball out. He has a knack for that. He has to learn when everything’s not quite there, how you learn how to adjust … to extend the play. He has some God-given ability to extend the play with his feet. All young guys want to rely on that as a crutch to get themselves out of trouble. As you get older, you use it more when you need to instead of when you want to. That’s the process he’s going through.”

For Ponder, that process can’t result in wins soon enough. Ponder said he’s been waiting for the season opener since January, using the past eight months to channel his rookie frustration into long-term motivation.

Ponder is glad he experienced last year’s heartache and accepts that young quarterbacks need space to make mistakes — to a point, that is.

His revulsion for mistakes won’t let him fully accept it.

“This year is going to be a lot better than last year, especially for me personally,” Ponder said. “That starts this week.”

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